Dan Wheldon Died Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

In the final race of the season Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon died Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Wheldon’s car was entangled in what was obviously a fierce 15-car pileup on Lap 13, when the #77 car flew over another vehicle and landed in a catch fence just outside turn 2.

The 33-year-old racer was a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner (2005 and 2011).

Three other drivers, including championship contender Will Power, were hurt in the pileup. Weldon was airlifted from the track to University Medical Center; about two hours later, he was pronounced dead.

English born Dan” Wheldon was only 33 and is survived by his wife Susie, and sons Sebastian and Oliver.

“IndyCar is very sad to announce that Dan Wheldon has passed away from unsurvivable injuries,” IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today. IndyCar, its drivers and owners, have decided to end the race.”

In his honor, drivers took part in a five-lap salute around the oval. The remainder of the race was cancelled.

The last fatality at IndyCar happened in 2006 when Paul Dana was killed after a crash in a morning warmup.